- skin may be divided into three regions: (1) axilla,

perineum, and toe webs; (2) hand, face, and trunk; (3)
upper arms and legs.
1. Axilla, Perineum and Toe Webs
MICROBIAL ECOLOGY - higher moisture levels, body temperature and surface
- study of the relationships between microorganisms and lipids.
their environment. - have more microorganisms and are predominantly
- relationship of microbes with humans include the inhabited by gram-negative bacilli.
normal flora (indigenous flora) of the human body. 2. Hands, Forearms, Feet and Legs
- have diverse flora such as Staphylococcus epidermidis
NORMAL FLORA and Staphylococcus hominis.
- group of organisms that inhabit the body of a normal
healthy individual. Organism Remarks
- may be non-pathogenic or pathogenic, and sometimes Staphylococcus Major skin inhabitant; 90% of
behave as opportunistic pathogens. epidermidis resident aerobic flora
- two types: resident and transient flora. Staphylococcus Commonly found in nose and
1. Resident Flora aureus perineum
- relatively of fixed types and are regularly found in a Micrococci 20%-80& of micrococci in the
given area of the body, at a given age. (Micrococcus luteus) skin
2. Transient Flora Diphtheroids Lipophilic: common in axila
- inhabit the skin and mucous membrane temporarily for (Coryneforms) Non-lipophilic: common on
hours, days or weeks glabrous/hairless skin
- dervied from the environment. Anaerobic diphtheroids: areas
rich in sebaceous glands
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF NORMAL FLORA Gram-negative bacilli Intertrioginous areas (toe
1. Prevents pathogenic organisms from attaching to and (Escherichia coli) webs and axila)
penetrating the skin and other tissues by producing Nail flora Similar to that of skin, fungi
mucin. may also be present
2. Normal flora in intestines aid in digestion of food by (Penicillium)
producing enzymes such as cellulase, galactosidase, and
glucosidase. MOUTH AND RESPIRATORY TRACT
3. Intestinal flora also help in the metabolism of steroid. - tongue and buccal mucosa: Streptococcus viridians
4. Synthesizes important vitamins, like vitamin K that is - gingival crevices and tonsillar crypts: anaerobic flora
needed for clotting activity. - pharynx and trachea: similar to those of oral cavity, but
may have transient flora (ex. Mycoplasma).
NORMAL FLORAL ON DIFFERENT SITES OF THE - upper respiratory tract: Neisseria meningitidis
BODY - lower respiratory tract: usually sterile, organisms that
- includes skin, mouth and respiratory tract, conjunctiva, reach this region are destroyed by alveolar
digestive tract, and genitourinary tract. macrophages.

SKIN
- most exposed to microogranisms.
- certain factors that eliminate non-resident flora from
the skin: (1) lysozyme; (2) acidic pH due to sweat; (3)
free fatty acids in sebaceous secretions; and (4) constant
sloughing off of skin.
- mainly bacteria and fungi.
- most microorganisms are found in the superficial layer
(stratum cornem) and hair follicles.
- anaerobes inhabit deeper structures and layers of skin
(hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands).
CONJUNCTIVA
- normal flora is very scanty because of the flow of tears
that contain lysozyme.
- some bacteria may transiently colonize (ex.
Corynebacterim).
DIGESTIVE TRACT
- esophagus: contains transient mouth flora
- stomach: one bacteria that can survive in the acidity of
the stomach is Helicobacter pylori, which is the most
common cause of duodenal ulcer.
- small intestine: scantly flora, due to peristaltic
movement (ex. Lactobacilli).
pg. 1
- large intestine: greater than small intestine, inhabited
predominantly by anaerobes (ex. Bacteroides fragilis)

ROLE OF INTESTINAL FLORA

1. Sythesizes vitamin B complex and vitamin K.
2. Converts bile into bile acids.
3. Competes with transient flora for nutrients.
4. Prevents colonizations of transient flora.
5. Produces potentially pathogenic end-products of
metabolism that are toxic to transient flora.

GENITOURINARY TRACT
- anterior urethra: S. epidermidis, enterococci, and
diphtheroids
- penile urethra: Gardnerella vaginalis
- female urethra: Staphylococcus epidermidis

VAGINAL FLORA
- infants: Lactobacillus spp.
- from 1 month to puberty: Staphylococcus epidermidis
and Escherichia colli.
- onset of puberty: Lactobacillus acidophilus
- after menopause: normal flora derived from skin and
colon (Torulopsis)
- Lactobacillus: prevents gonococcal infection by
producing lactic acid that adds to the acidity of vagina.

pg. 2